The Zombie Walk has been held in Toronto since 2003. (Observer Archives)

The organizers of Toronto’s Zombie Walk feared that it might not continue due to funding concerns, but the event is still running this year.

The 12th annual walk has had trouble raising the $50,000 needed to keep the event going. As a last measure, the organizers launched an online crowd-funding campaign to raise money for necessities such as parade permits, security, and street closures.

At least $3,900 more must be donated in order for the organizers of Zombie Walk to be able to cover all of the costs needed.

“It’s happening; it has to,” Zombie Walk spokesperson Stefania Zanini said. “We’ve already raised $43,000 and we have a lot of donations and made a lot of promises to a lot of people. It’s happening no matter what.”

According to Stefania, the lack of funding will not stop the dead from walking, for this year at least.

“If we go into debt, then our founder will probably be paying the difference,” Zanini said.

Morgan Davis is one of over 12,000 participants of the event, and has attended for three years. Fans like her donated all together around $3,100 towards the event so far.

“I found out about the money-shortage since I’m signed up for their emails,” Davis said. “It makes me sad to think it could be cancelled. I have already donated and I donate whatever I can each year.”

The event takes place Saturday, Oct. 25 and starts at Nathan Phillips Square. This year, there will be extra benefits at the event, such as an after-party at the Hard Rock Café. But what is it about this event that draws over 12,000 people each year?

“I love zombies and all those dark things,” Davis said. “I think a lot of people feel the same way about the walk. The most popular part of it is the costumes… some of the costumes are phenomenal.”

But no matter how popular or expensive the walk gets, no one attending the event will ever have to pay a mandatory fee according to Zanini.

“It has always been a free event and it will always be a free event,” she said. “If you have a couple bucks to pay then that’s awesome. If you don’t, then word of mouth is just as lovely.”